Weekly Update: September 5, 2012

*Kei Kamara selected to represent Sierra Leone
*Sporting KC trio named to national teams
*Kamara nominated for Courage in Sports Honor on CBS
*Sporting KC Academy defender joins US U-15 national team
*Sporting KC Academy alum up for scholarship
*Vote for Jimmy Nielsen to be on downloadable cover of FIFA 13*Sporting KC in the community
*LSP honored by Wyandotte Economic Development Council
*Michael Thomas and Kyle Miller recognized at alma mater
*Sporting KC rallies for late 2-1 victory over Toronto
*Sporting KC launches 2013 Season Ticket renewal campaign
*Sporting KC now accepting deposits for 2013 Reserved Seating
*Tickets for USMNT World Cup Qualifier at LSP on sale
*Prorated 2012 Season Ticket Plans Available
*Follow Sporting KC Online

KEI KAMARA SELECTED TO REPRESENT SIERRA LEONE

Sporting Kansas City forward Kamara will travel to Freetown, Sierra Leone for the first leg of the Leone Stars’ African Cup of Nations qualifier against Tunisia on Sept. 8 at National Stadium. Kamara scored twice in the team’s last game, a decisive 4-2 victory over São Tomé and Príncipe in June.

The winner of the two-leg, aggregate goal series will qualify for the 2013 African Cup of Nations. Sierra Leone, No. 57 in the latest FIFA rankings, have not qualified for the tournament since 1996.

Kamara will return on Sept. 11, three days prior to Sporting Kansas City's match at home against the Houston Dynamo.

Zusi joined the United States Men’s National Team for a pair of upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Jamaica. The United States will face Jamaica on Sept. 7 at Independence Park in Kingston, Jamaica (7 p.m. CT; beIN SPORT), followed by a rematch with the Reggae Boyz on Sept. 11 at Columbus Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio (7 p.m. CT; ESPN2).

Joseph was chosen to the Haitian National Team for three matches over a five-day span in the opening round of Caribbean Championship qualifying. Haiti, No. 80 in the FIFA rankings, will host Saint-Martin on Sept. 7, Bermuda on Sept. 9 and Puerto Rico on Sept. 11 in Group 1 play at Stade Sylvio Cator in Port-au-Prince. The top two teams will advance to the second round of qualifying.

Espinoza joined Honduras for a pair of FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Cuba. Honduras, currently No. 65 in the latest FIFA rankings, are third in Group C with one point and four games remaining in the round.

KAMARA NOMINATED FOR COURAGE IN SPORTS HONOR ON CBS

Sporting KC forward Kei Kamara, a refugee of Sierra Leone, is nominated for the America’s Choice Honoree for Courage in Sports. The America’s Choice Honoree, determined by fan voting, recognizes individuals who have overcome monumental challenges to achieve greatness in the world of sports. The winner will be announced on a one-hour “Courage in Sports” special airing at 4 p.m. CT on Nov. 11 on CBS.

Eight inspiring individuals have been selected to participate in the Facebook voting. Each week, the two athletes with the lowest vote total will be eliminated from the competition. Fans can vote once per day and share their vote with friends here: facebook.com/CourageInSports. The top two vote getters will compete in the finals from Sept. 24 to Oct. 1.

Palmer-Brown, a Lee's Summit native, is ranked as the No. 2 player in the Class of 2015 Heartland region by Top Drawer Soccer and he has seen opportunities with the Sporting Kansas City senior squad this season. He played 20 minutes in the club's Reserve League match against Colorado in June, marking his second appearance on the roster for Sporting KC in Reserve League action after dressing in May against FC Dallas.

Follow @ussoccer_ynt on Twitter for updates throughout the training camp.

SPORTING KC ACADEMY ALUM UP FOR SCHOLARSHIP

Former Sporting KC Academy player David Isaacks is one of 40 finalists for a "Thriving Student" $20,000 scholarship.

The scholarship is part of the "CFCareForward Scholarship" program run by the Cystic Fribrosis Association. Isaacks, who was also a member of the 2012 Class of Sporting 22, is currently a freshman playing for the University of Rhode Island.

Isaacks, who has Cystic Fibrosis, captained his senior year of soccer at Blue Springs High School and was named team MVP, All-Conference First Team, All-District First Team and All-Regional Honorable Mention. He also excelled in academics, graduating in the top 5 percent of his class.

EA Sports, the award winning developer of sports video games, is creating a downloadable game cover for FIFA 13 to show their support of Major League Socer. To determine which MLS players will appear on that cover, EA Sports is polling MLS fans to choose the three remaining spots on the game cover. The three clubs whose candidates receive the most votes will join the top-ranked player on MLSSoccer.com's 3rd annual "24 under 24" list and the downloadable cover will be revealed at the launch party in New York City on September 24.

Plus, fans who participate in the voting will be automatically entered to win two tickets to the Sideline FIFA Lounge at the 2012 MLS Cup.

Voting runs through September 15. Sporting Kansas City's representative is Jimmy Nielsen. Follow this link to vote for the White Puma.

SPORTING KC IN THE COMMUNITY

**Denotes events that are open to the general public

Wednesday Sept. 5, 6-7:30 PM: Lawrence Olum, Soony Saad and Korede Aiyegbusi will be assisting at a youth Clinic for Big Brothers Big Sisters at the Sporting Club Training Center in Swope Park.

LIVESTRONG Sporting Park has been ranked the second most impactful project in Wyandotte County by the Wyandotte Economic Development Council, in conjunction with the input of more than 600 stakeholders, to commemorate their 20th anniversary. First unveiled at the Economic Development Council's quarterly event in July, the list features the 20 most impactful projects including LSP, Kansas Speedway and the Legends Outlets.

For a full list of awards and accolades won by Sporting Kansas City and LIVESTRONG Sporting Park, click here.

MICHAEL THOMAS AND KYLE MILLER RECOGNIZED AT ALMA MATER

Sporting Kansas City players Michael Thomas and Kyle Miller were honored last Friday at a special ceremony at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Overland Park, Kan. Both players attended St. Thomas Aquinas and were an integral part of the team’s success leading the school to multiple state titles during their time with the program.

The night was a celebration of 25 years of St. Thomas Aquinas and an unveiling of their new soccer field. Both Miller and Thomas assisted in cutting the ribbon before the game to signify the opening of the new field and then they joined both National Championship teams (1994, 2009) for recognition during the half-time ceremony. Miller was inducted into the Saints Soccer Hall of Fame on Friday, as he joins Thomas whose No. 8 jersey was permanently retired. Thomas becomes the first player in the history of the program to have a number retired.

SPORTING KC RALLIES FOR LATE 2-1 VICTORY OVER TORONTO

Sporting Kansas City came from behind for a 2-1 victory over Toronto FC on Saturday at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park in front of a sold-out crowd.

It was a night of firsts for Sporting Kansas City as Paulo Nagamura scored his first goal as a Sporting KC player in the 60th minute off of a bouncing shot from the top of the box and Oriol Rosell scored his first MLS goal in the 87th minute on a first-time volley.

Sporting Kansas City extends their lead atop the Eastern Conference, now four points ahead of the idle New York Red Bulls, and the team’s 15 wins are the most in club history since the historic 2000 season in which KC won 16 regular season games, Supporters Shield and MLS Cup.

SPORTING KC LAUNCHES 2013 SEASON TICKET RENEWAL CAMPAIGN

Sporting Kansas City has begun the club's 2013 season ticket renewal campaign for current Sporting Kansas City Season Ticket Members to secure their seats at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park next season.

The "Love and Sporting" themed renewal campaign gives current Sporting Kansas City Season Ticket Members the first chance to secure 2013 season tickets by contacting their Client Service Representative. Additionally, Sporting Kansas City is offering renewal incentives for Season Ticket Members who pay in full and/or renew during the First Chance Campaign.

Beginning with the 2013 season, all Season Ticket Members will receive a 5% discount on team merchandise by presenting their Season Ticket Membership Card at any Sporting Style store during a Sporting KC home match. Additionally, the 2013 Sporting Kansas City Referral Program will reward Season Ticket Members whose friends and family members purchase new 2013 full season ticket seats.

Sporting Kansas City supporters can now place 2013 Season Ticket Deposits for all Reserved Seating at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park by calling 888-4KC-GOAL or visiting www.SportingKC.com.

TICKETS FOR USMNT WORLD CUP QUALIFIER AT LSP ON SALE

Tickets for the U.S. Men's National Team World Cup qualifier at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park are now on sale to the general public through ussoccer.com, by calling 1-800-745-3000, at all Ticketmaster ticket centers throughout the Kansas City area (including Hen House Markets) and the LIVESTRONG Sporting Park ticket office (open Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.).

The MNT concludes the Semifinal Round of FIFA World Cup qualifying by facing Guatemala on October 16 at 6 p.m. CT. Media members wishing to cover the match may apply for credentials online at ussoccer.com. All applications must be submitted before Wednesday, October 3.

PRORATED 2012 SEASON TICKET PLANS AVAILABLE

Sporting Kansas City prorated season ticket plans are available for the remainder of the 2012 Major League Soccer season. The benefits include discounted rates, priority for purchasing playoff tickets, preferred parking and access to special events.

Sporting Kansas City fans looking to keep up with the club on the worldwide web now have a place to go. The new social media page on SportingKC.com features Twitter account information for the club, its players as well as many staff members. Additionally, fans may take advantage of the Media Recap page for all the latest independent news coverage available online.